Man Pleads Not Guilty to Causing Deaths of Dudley Friends Liberty and Ben- Dhiya Al Maamoury, a 55-year-old man, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the tragic deaths of two teenagers, Liberty Charris and Ben Corfield, in a fatal accident in Oldbury, England, in November 2022.
Al Maamoury appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on March 19, 2024, where he denied two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Ebonie Parkes and Ethan Kilburn.
Liberty Charris, aged 16, and Ben Corfield, aged 19, both from Dudley, were fatally injured when a blue Nissan Skyline driven by Al Maamoury hit a group of pedestrians on the A457 Oldbury Road near the junction with Crystal Drive. The incident occurred around 11:30 pm on November 20, 2022. In addition to the fatalities, Ebonie Parkes and Ethan Kilburn suffered serious injuries, with Parkes suffering fractures to her hips, leg, and shoulder, as well as collapsed lungs.
Al Maamoury, residing in Solihull, was granted unconditional bail until the trial, which has been set for February 17, 2025. The trial will determine whether Al Maamoury is responsible for the deaths and injuries caused by his dangerous driving.
What evidence was presented against Al Maamoury during the trial?
During the trial against Dhiya Al Maamoury for the fatal accident that resulted in the deaths of Liberty Charris and Ben Corfield, several pieces of evidence were presented to support the charges against him. These pieces of evidence included:
- Vehicle Analysis: The blue Nissan Skyline driven by Al Maamoury was thoroughly examined for any signs of mechanical failure or malfunction that could have contributed to the accident. This analysis was crucial in determining whether the vehicle was in a safe condition to be driven at the time of the incident.
- Eyewitness Testimony: Multiple eyewitnesses provided statements about the events leading up to the accident. Their accounts were critical in establishing the sequence of events and the actions of Al Maamoury leading up to the collision.
- CCTV Footage: Surveillance cameras in the area captured footage of the incident. This footage was analyzed to provide a visual record of the accident, including the speed at which Al Maamoury was driving and the actions of the pedestrians involved.
- Forensic Evidence: Forensic evidence, such as skid marks and debris, was collected from the scene of the accident. This evidence helped in reconstructing the accident and determining the cause of the collision.
- Medical Reports: Medical reports from the victims and survivors were presented to provide insights into the injuries sustained and the cause of death for the deceased. These reports were crucial in linking the injuries to the actions of Al Maamoury.
- Police Investigation Reports: Detailed reports from the West Midlands Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team were presented. These reports included the initial findings of the investigation, interviews with witnesses, and the analysis of the evidence collected.
The combination of these pieces of evidence provided a comprehensive overview of the circumstances surrounding the accident, supporting the charges against Al Maamoury for causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
